Q: List of fall staples — post COVID / post babies, my closet is empty!
A: I would start with a pair of jeans and a pair of corduroys that you absolutely love and that fit you well. For jeans, to good starter options that feel contemporary and classic at the same time are Citizens’ Charlottes and Madewell’s Perfect Vintage fit jeans. (Third option that I have been wearing a ton this season: Agolde’s Pinch Waist jeans.). For cords, I am obsessed with this pair from J. Crew, which I have in the pale mocha color. From there, pick up a couple of great layering tees in solids and stripes, some turtlenecks (including a fun patterned one), and a few great sweaters that can mix and match with a lot of pieces. I especially love the striped styles from La Ligne (still some available for under $40 from their diffusion line with Target), the solids from Alice Walk, and this classic cableknit cardi to throw on over turtlenecks/dresses. Finally: a blazer! I have been wearing this one so much, but there are tons of great options here and here depending on your appetite for color. For shoes: a loafer! This chocolate brown Sebago turned my head the other day, but of course Guccis are forever (see above) and there are lots of great loafer options here.
Q: Can you suggest any leggings or fitted pants to go with boots, booties, flats? I’m after something nice that isn’t athletic wear.
A: Try this ponte pant from Emerson Fry! For something more fashion-forward, these LeSet stirrup leggings have been causing quite the stir. See them on the ever-chic Laura Wills here.
Q: Wedding shoes. Comfy and can wear again.
A: Manolo Maysales!
Q: I have a few lovely silk scarves and I struggle with how to wear them. I’d love some new ideas.
A: I just shared a new trick for tying silk scarves and it’s breathed new life into my scarf collection! In general, I like to layer these scarves over striped tees from Ayr and Kule or with patterned dresses to prevent the look from feeling too stuffy/contrived.
Q: Desperate for comfy flats. Narrow feet, bumpy thin heels, Tieks, Everlane, nothing works!
A: Have you tried Rothys or Birdies? Both get rave reviews in terms of comfort/wearability. My mom loves Rothys and often travels with hers. I have owned one pair of Birdies (their mule style) and can attest that they were supremely comfortable — more like a slipper than a flat. I personally LIVE in Vibi furlanes, but they do not have much of a footbed support, so I’d try Rothy’s or Birdies first if I were you!
Q: How do you keep your bed so clean and lovely with a pup and kiddos?
A: Ha! I am forever telling our dog to get out of our bed! We do make our bed daily, and I find decorative shams (we have this exact set in the gray) hide a whole manner of sins (e.g., conceal wrinkly sleeping pillows and the splatter of milk from my son’s cup) and do not need to be ironed constantly to look finished/polished. Beyond that, we just try not to be too precious about things. Those inexpensive Target sheets have been helpful in this regard — knowing that my children are not mucking up Frette sheets helps abate some of the stress! P.S. All our bedding favorites here.
Q: White dresses for a bridal shower in PA in November. Ideally around $200 or less. Looking for something weather appropriate (maybe midi length/short sleeves or mini length/long sleeves combo?), and little bit trendy that will make a statement.
A: I love the idea of a white/ecru knit dress paired with big earrings like these or these. Alternately, this mini or this one are adorable — could be worn with tall boots or fun heels, and I’d again pair with big earrings. For something a bit louder, look at this darling lace dress!
Q: Fall family photos with 24 week bump.
A: I love this pretty Emerson Fry — the waist is adjustable and could be cinched above bump; this Frances Hart; this black watch HHH; this Rhode; or this ByTimo.
Q: Top five shoes in your shoe collection?
A: AH! This is too hard. My most-worn at the moment are Chanel ballet flats, Vibi Venezia furlanes, these navy suede drivers from Talbots (!), these No 6 clog boots, and a pair of plain black suede pointed toe pumps from J. Crew — their Elsie style, which they have tragically discontinued. I own the Elsies in at least four or five colors and think they rival (surpass?) Manolo BBs in terms of comfort. You can sometimes find them floating around the internet from seasons past. My most treasured are a pair of hot pink Louboutins with a bow at the toe, seen here. I have them prominently displayed in my closet and every time I see them, I remember to have fun with fashion, to not take myself too seriously.
Q: Christmas stockings.
A: I shared a few options in this post, but my personal preference is a classic velvet quilted style with the name embroidered across the top! This is what we have!
Q: Chic navy blazers for the preppy look that’s in?
A: Investments: Smythe or Veronica Beard. The fit/style will literally never go out of vogue. You can wear this at 19 or 79. So chic. For a big splurge — the style is a bit more trend-conscious / distinctive, and costs more — check out Blaze Milano. A solid, more reasonably priced take on the classic: J. Crew or Banana (personally slightly prefer the Banana here because of those iconic gold buttons). For a budget buy — check out Lioness! I have read a lot of fantastic things about this under-$100 blazer, the TL;DR being that it looks much more expensive than it is.
Q: Long strand pearls — saves and splurges.
A: Tiffany or Mikimoto for investment. For less expensive, I would skip the long strand style and go for something trendier from chic label Eliou, like this, this, or this.
Q: Kitchen gear for entertaining. Starting from scratch after living simply.
A: Love this! My first thought was — treat yourself to a bunch of REALLY fun styles from In the Round. That brand just really sparks joy and makes me want to pour a glass of wine and entertain. However. The practical side of me wants to urge you towards white plates. Can’t recommend all white plates enough. They show food wonderfully and you won’t get bored of them. You can always swap out the linens/flowers to pack a punch. I like something with a bit of a twist like these ruffled ones, these square ones, these lipped ones from CB2, these color-trim ones from In the Round, and these rustic ones from Haand. For glassware, we love these short juice/wine glasses, these cooler glasses, and these elegant white wine glasses. Those white wine glasses really are highly versatile – my husband even likes to drink sparkling wine and cider out of them. For servewear, this is the kind of thing you should collect over time, finding idiosyncratic pieces you love, but I’ve also acquired a pretty solid collection of white servewear from World Market for various specific uses that have then been in heavy rotation ever since. Love a bowl like this or this, and this platter is perfect. Also! We have a couple of long white rectangular serving dishes like this that are PERFECT for serving up items to high dramatic effect. I like to pile it high with salad, or criss cross halves of sandwiches along the length, or place a heap of chips on two thirds of the dish with a little bowl of dip on the far side. Fun! More entertaining thoughts here and here. Cheers!
Q: Gift ideas for my SIL’s 30th — spending $300-$500.
A: What a generous SIL you are! A few things I’d personally love to buy for myself in this price range that might make good candidates depending on her interests…
PENDANT NECKLACE FROM JANE WIN OR AURELIA DEMARK
COLORED GLASS BOWLS FROM ST. FRANK
PERSONALIZED TABLE LINENS FROM MRS. ALICE
PERSONALIZED STATIONERY FROM DEAR ELOUISE
Q: Bday gift ideas for a best friend who is a mom and has it all.
A: The above list might be a good starting point, but a few items with a lower price tag that will impress even the woman who has it all…
BOGNER PERFORMANCE SNOW GLOVES
Q: New fav cookbooks?
A: We have been loving this one from Missy Robbins. The title is absurdly non-descript, but she has fantastic recipes and Mr. Magpie is borderline obsessed with everything she does. I also find the recipes from J. Kenji Lopez-Alt on Serious Eats almost unfailingly good.
Q: Inexpensive Xmas ornaments sets this year as a starter set?
A: Balls in a good color scheme that appeals to you are a good starting point — I tend to like them metallics, like this set or this one.
Q: Baptism outfit advice — have a dress but want some investment heels.
A: Congratulations! And FUN! If I could buy one shoe that I know I will wear forever and ever again, I would pick the Manolo Maysale. I am wildly impractical, so I would probably pick one in a pattern or color and then make my outfits conform to it from now until eternity, but the taupe is the most versatile. But a little evil birdie on my shoulder is telling me to tell you to buy these trendier Dior slingbacks. OO LA LA.
Q: Wedding guest dress — Boca, November, will be 7 months pregnant.
A: This Staud! Have fun!
Q: Teacher presents for holidays.
A: A gift card you think they will appreciate — to a local coffee/bakery shop, to Amazon, to a book shop. For something more personal, pretty stationery, a personalized LL Bean tote, one of these Gap fleeces in a fun color, a cashmere beanie, a monogrammed pouch.
For next time… would so love some help finding family matching Christmas pajamas. My daughter is into nightgowns this year, so I’d love to do mommy and me nightgowns with daddy and son in the same/similar print in a pants set. Thank you!!
Aw! Adorable. I would do Petite Plume —
https://bit.ly/3T0lrPR
Lots of options with nightgowns and pajama pants sets to mix and match. You could even do plaid for the gents and a pattern for the girls and it would all look cohesive!
xx
Thank you so much for your reply!
Of course! More options to come – I have a “children’s holiday jammies” post early next week!
xx
For the Q about teacher gifts, from a teacher here:
See if your child will do some light recon one morning — I’m personally rarely without a Peet’s Iced Tea, and would really appreciate and find amusing if a student got me a Peet’s gift card. Maybe ask your kid if their teacher regularly gets coffee from somewhere or talks about a store a lot (ie: Target).
Great tip! xx
I’ve been looking for a couple of printed fall tops under $100 in browns and blues – any recs? Thank you!
Hi! Gap has some fun finds in this vein this season —
https://bit.ly/3zt4qqJ
https://bit.ly/3WfAbxa
Boden, too —
https://bit.ly/3SIKpmN
Love the idea of these tucked into high-waisted cords or jeans.
xx
ah, always love seeing one of my qs answered. thank you x a million!
Of course! My absolute pleasure!
xx
Hi! For the woman with narrow feet and narrower heels seeking comfy flats – I feel your struggle. Flats that everyone else swears by slip right off my heels. The best I have found in terms of both comfort/wearability and style is the Cole Haan Tali flat (in narrow). They somewhat resemble Ferragamo visually but I was able to walk literally miles a day around NYC in these for years. I have them in black and nude and highly recommend for other ladies with a challenging narrow foot!
This is what it’s all about – thanks, Leah, for sharing this intel!
xx